Our Vision

Every child deserves the chance to read with confidence. Reading can change a child’s life. It opens the door to learning, builds confidence and creates opportunities that last for years. Yet, millions of South African children never get that chance. By the end of Grade 4, about 82% of learners cannot read for meaning. They can recognise words on a page, but have trouble comprehending the context of the subject matter. When this gap appears, every learning area becomes more difficult and overall education becomes a challenge.

Every year, thousands of South Africans push themselves with personal challenges that test their endurance, determination and commitment. Just this past weekend, thousands of athletes gathered at the start of the Comrades Marathon, ready to take on nearly 90 kilometres in one of the world’s most famous road races. While reaching the finish line is a strong motivation, many participants are finding that their efforts can be even more significant.

Last year, the Bible Society of South Africa embarked on a mission to make specialised Bibles more freely available to the deaf community across the country. And so the Scripture beyond Silence campaign was born. Coinciding with Deaf Awareness Month in September, the Bible Society launched the campaign with the goal of raising R100 000. This would allow 500 copies of the Bible for the Deaf to be distributed to schools, churches and organisations that serve the deaf community.

Every year on Human Rights Day, South Africans commemorate the struggle for dignity, equality, and freedom. These rights protect our ability to live, work and participate fully in society. But there is another human need that is seldom discussed in these conversations. The need for hope. Because without hope, even freedom can feel empty. Human rights discussions often focus on basic needs like housing, education and healthcare. While these are essential, human beings are not only physical – we are also emotional and spiritual. We need purpose.